Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury: A Roaring Good Time!

Hey guys! Let's dive into the fantastic world of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, a delightful package that brings together the classic Wii U title with a brand-new, exciting adventure. This game isn't just a port; it's an enhanced experience that offers both familiar fun and fresh challenges. So, grab your cat suit, and let's explore what makes this game a must-have for any Mario fan!

Super Mario 3D World: A Cooperative Platforming Paradise

Super Mario 3D World is a vibrant, colorful, and incredibly creative platformer that shines best when played with friends. This game originally launched on the Wii U and was praised for its innovative level design, charming visuals, and the introduction of the Super Bell, which gives Mario and friends their adorable cat transformations. If you missed it the first time around, now's your chance to experience this cooperative masterpiece.

One of the standout features of Super Mario 3D World is its multiplayer capability. Up to four players can join in on the fun, each controlling one of the main characters: Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad. Each character has unique abilities that add a layer of strategy to the gameplay. Mario is the all-around character, Luigi jumps higher, Peach can float for a short period, and Toad is the fastest on the ground. Coordinating with your friends to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies is a blast, and the chaotic energy of everyone trying to grab the same power-ups is part of the charm. Seriously, the co-op is where this game truly shines! The level design is simply brilliant, offering a diverse range of environments, from lush green fields to underwater kingdoms and gravity-defying platforms. Each level is packed with secrets, hidden collectibles, and creative challenges that keep you engaged from start to finish. The game encourages exploration, rewarding you for venturing off the beaten path and experimenting with different character abilities. Whether you're scaling walls as Cat Mario, throwing fireballs as Fire Mario, or stomping Goombas with your friends, there's always something new and exciting to discover.

The game's controls are tight and responsive, making it easy to navigate the intricate levels and perform precise jumps. The power-ups are also a highlight, with classics like the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower making a return, alongside new additions like the Double Cherry, which creates clones of your character, and the Boomerang Flower, which allows you to throw boomerangs at enemies. These power-ups add a layer of variety to the gameplay, allowing you to approach challenges in different ways.

Super Mario 3D World isn't just about completing levels; it's about collecting Green Stars and Stamps, which unlock new content and add replay value to the game. Green Stars are hidden throughout each level, often requiring you to solve puzzles or explore hidden areas to find them. Stamps, on the other hand, can be used to decorate Miiverse posts (though Miiverse is no longer active, the stamps remain a fun collectible). Collecting all the Green Stars and Stamps is a challenging but rewarding task that will keep you coming back for more.

Bowser's Fury: An Open-World Mario Adventure

Bowser's Fury is a completely new adventure that's included with Super Mario 3D World, and it's a game-changer. This standalone experience takes Mario to Lake Lapcat, an open-world environment where he teams up with Bowser Jr. to stop his father, Bowser, who has become a gigantic, rage-filled monster. It's a wild ride that blends the classic Mario gameplay with open-world exploration and epic boss battles.

Bowser's Fury introduces a dynamic weather system and a unique gameplay mechanic centered around Fury Bowser's periodic eruptions. Every few minutes, the sky darkens, and Fury Bowser emerges, unleashing fiery attacks and transforming the environment. These eruptions create both challenges and opportunities, as they can destroy obstacles, reveal hidden areas, and trigger new events. You'll have to use your skills and power-ups to survive these onslaughts and eventually confront Fury Bowser in an epic showdown.

The open-world structure of Bowser's Fury is a refreshing departure from the linear level design of Super Mario 3D World. Lake Lapcat is divided into several islands, each with its own distinct theme and challenges. You can freely explore these islands, collecting Cat Shines (the equivalent of Stars in this game) and uncovering secrets. The seamless transition between islands and the absence of loading screens create a sense of freedom and immersion that's rare in Mario games.

Bowser Jr. plays a crucial role in Bowser's Fury, assisting Mario in combat and exploration. He can attack enemies, paint walls to reveal hidden items, and even power up Mario with special abilities. You can customize Bowser Jr.'s level of assistance, making him more or less helpful depending on your preference. Playing with a friend in co-op mode allows one player to control Bowser Jr., adding a new dimension to the gameplay. The co-op experience in Bowser's Fury is different from 3D World, but it's still a lot of fun. Bowser's Fury also introduces a new power-up called the Giga Bell, which transforms Mario into a giant, cat-like version of himself. This transformation is necessary to defeat Fury Bowser in the final battle, and it's a spectacle to behold. The Giga Cat Mario is incredibly powerful, capable of smashing through obstacles and unleashing devastating attacks.

What Makes This Game Special

So, why should you pick up Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury? Well, for starters, you're getting two amazing games in one package. Super Mario 3D World is a fantastic multiplayer platformer with creative level design and charming visuals, while Bowser's Fury is a bold experiment that combines classic Mario gameplay with open-world exploration and epic boss battles. But let's dig a little deeper, shall we?

• Variety: The game offers a diverse range of gameplay experiences, from the linear levels of Super Mario 3D World to the open-world exploration of Bowser's Fury. There's always something new to discover and explore. The sheer variety on offer keeps the game feeling fresh and exciting.
• Multiplayer: Both games support multiplayer, allowing you to team up with friends and family for some chaotic co-op fun. Whether you're working together to complete levels or competing to grab the most power-ups, the multiplayer aspect adds a whole new layer of enjoyment to the game.
• Innovation: Bowser's Fury is a bold experiment that pushes the boundaries of what a Mario game can be. The open-world structure, dynamic weather system, and epic boss battles are all new additions to the Mario formula, and they work surprisingly well.
• Accessibility: The game is easy to pick up and play, making it accessible to both newcomers and veterans of the Mario series. The controls are intuitive, and the difficulty curve is gradual, allowing you to learn the ropes at your own pace.
• Replay Value: With tons of collectibles to find, challenges to complete, and secrets to uncover, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury offers plenty of replay value. You'll want to revisit levels to find all the Green Stars and Stamps, and you'll want to experiment with different characters and power-ups to see what you can discover.

Final Thoughts

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is a delightful package that offers something for everyone. Whether you're a fan of classic Mario platforming, open-world exploration, or cooperative multiplayer, this game has you covered. The enhanced visuals, improved gameplay, and the addition of Bowser's Fury make this a must-have for any Switch owner. So, grab your controller, gather your friends, and get ready for a roaring good time! You won't regret it. Trust me, this game is a blast! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to collect some more Cat Shines!